Messi Event Chaos: A day after widespread chaos disrupted Argentine football legend Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated appearance at Salt Lake Stadium, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Sunday visited the venue and called for a judicial inquiry into the incident.
The Governor conducted a first-hand inspection of the stadium amid growing public anger and demanded accountability from organisers and authorities involved in managing the marquee event.
Governor Demands Arrests, Refunds, and Clear SOPs
Speaking to reporters after his visit, Governor Bose said all those responsible for the disorder must be arrested without delay. He also insisted that the event organisers should immediately refund ticket prices to spectators who were left disappointed despite paying hefty sums.
“When private entities are allowed to commercialise sports and earn profits, the public should not be made to suffer,” the Governor stated, underlining the need for responsibility and transparency.
He further urged the state government to frame Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for managing large-scale public events, including mandatory insurance coverage for spectators and crowd safety protocols.
High-Level Officials Accompany Governor During Inspection
The Governor was accompanied by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and senior police officials during his inspection of the stadium. Bose said he interacted with several affected spectators and victims to understand the extent of the mismanagement.
“My report is almost ready and will be submitted to both the state and central governments,” he said, declining to disclose specific recommendations at this stage.
Organiser Arrested for Alleged Mismanagement
In a major development, Satadru Datta, the chief organiser of the Lionel Messi event, was arrested by the Bidhannagar Police on Saturday on charges of mismanagement.
Police sources said Datta was picked up from Kolkata airport, where he had gone to see off Messi and his entourage, who later travelled to Hyderabad. Authorities are continuing their investigation into lapses that led to crowd unrest and property damage.
Governor Alleges He Was Denied Entry to Stadium
The controversy deepened after Governor Bose alleged that he was denied entry into Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday night when he attempted to visit the venue following reports of violence.
According to the Governor, stadium gates were shut and lights were switched off upon his arrival. He termed the episode unacceptable and sought a detailed explanation from the authorities, calling it a “dark day for sports-loving Kolkata.”
Messi’s Brief Appearance Sparks Crowd Anger
What was meant to be a historic football celebration descended into disorder after Messi made only a brief, tightly secured appearance, his first visit to the stadium since 2011.
Large sections of the crowd, many of whom had travelled long distances, failed to catch even a glimpse of the football icon. The resulting frustration led to vandalism, clashes, and scenes of chaos within and around the stadium.
CM Mamata Banerjee Forms Inquiry Committee
In response to the incident, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the matter. The panel is headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray, with Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and Home Secretary Nandini Chakravorty as members.
The committee visited the stadium on Sunday to assess ground realities and gather evidence related to the event’s management failures.
Calls Grow for Stronger Event Management Framework
The Messi event fiasco has reignited debate over crowd management, commercialisation of sports, and accountability of private organisers in West Bengal. With both the Governor and state government launching parallel probes, public expectations remain high for swift action and systemic reforms.
As investigations continue, authorities face mounting pressure to ensure such incidents do not mar future international sporting events in the state.